Loose leaf binder



4, 1938- E. L. KRAG LOOSE LEAF BINDER Filed July 10. 1950 [NI/EN ram 57% A; hrag Patented Jan. 4, i938 IT D Z T ES A-TENT osmos- V v I LOOSE LEAF-BINDER l ff "Krag'. Chicago, 111., assignor of one-tenth" to E. J. Andrews Chicago, Ill.

' 'Ai Dlication'fJuly 10.1930, Serial n6. 467,093

' roiaims. (01. 129-9) This invention relates to loose-leaf binders and particularly to bindersofthis nature in which it is often desired to shift the leavesfrom one set of prongs to another. One object of the invention is to provide simple and effective means for separating the prongs when it is desired to remove or change leaves. Another object is to provide for suitable locking means when the binder is closed to prevent shifting orseparating of the prongs. Another object of the invention is to provide means for indicating to the operator the position of the prongs with reference to the normal position. and with reference to each other. Other objects of the invention will be apparent from a consideration of the drawings and the accompanying description thereof. I

Of the drawings, Fig. 1 is a plan view of the inner side of a binder back when the binder is open, with certain parts removed, which embodies some of the features of my invention; Fig. 2

is .a similar view with other portions of the mechanism removed; Fig. 3 is an enlarged sectional view along the line 3-3 of Fig. 1; and Fig.

Referring to Figs. 1 to 4, the binder mechanism which I have invented consistsof means for moving the prongs both transversely and longitudinally of the binder back, so that the prongs may be separated so as to remove the leaves, and the prongs, if desired, then may be shifted longitudinally with reference to each other, so as to shift leaves from one set of prongs to another, thus changing the position of the leaves in the binder itself. y

The mechanism-comprises a plate I!) to which is fastened, in any suitable manner, the binder back I I, which supports the covers l2 in an ordi 4U nary manner. Slidably mounted on the plate 50 is a bar l3 which, when moved inwardly or outwardly, is arranged tomove the prongs transversely of the frame. The prongs 35 are fixed to bars 23 which are mountedupon, transversely movable bars 15. These bars are pivotally connected to links It by means of bars 3 to which the bars 55 are fixed. The other ends of the links are pivoted to levers H, the levers being pivoted to the plate H]. Also pivotally connect ing the bar i3 with the levers H are links 18. As is indicated, the arrangement of these elements is such that, when thebar I3 is pulled outwardly, the bars !5 will be forced inwardly by the levers 11. Or when the bar i3 is forced inwardly, the bars IE will be forced outwardly, thus separating the prongs from each other, as is indicated in Fig. 3. s

In order to ,manipulate the bar 13, a handle 28 is fixed thereto. In order to lock the bar in the closed position of the binder any suitable means may be used. I prefer touse a latch 2i pivoted, by means of a flange 22, to the bar [3. When the bar 13 is" pulled outwardly, the end 23 of the latch passes against a shoulder 24 fixed to the plate It. A spring 25 at all times tends to hold the end 23 in its elevated: .position.

When it is desired to separate the prongs, the I The plate 38 is fixed relative to the base plate It). The plate 33 passes over the prongs 35, and rests on the bar I 5. When the prongs are closed,

the back of the finger 3U willrest against a stop 7 32 fixed to the plate 38, and this will prevent further backward movement of the finger and,- hence, will hold the plate 33 from longitudinal movement. However, when the prongs are separated, as indicated in Fig. 3, the finger is at liberty to move away from the plate 33 and, hence, the plate 33 may be shifted longitudinally of the bar IS in an ordinary manner with the prong bar 29.

The prong bars 29 may be shifted in the bar 15 as far as may be desired. A notch 34 is provided in the plate 33 corresponding to the position of each of the prongs 35. As a consequence,

. when the prongs are shifted longitudinally, the

finger 33 will stop the movement at such a position that the prongs will register with the other set of prongs. The notches 3| and 34 are numbered consecutively corresponding to the numbers of the prongs from the end, so that the position of the prongs will be indicated.

A similar finger is provided for controlling the movement of the corresponding plate 33, but it is. placed at the opposite end of the binder back, as the prong bars are preferably shifted longitudinally in opposite directions. 8 are used to operate the prong bars 29.

I claim as my invention 1. In a loose-leaf binder, a base plate, a pair of Handles prong plates mounted on said base plate, paper holding prongs fixed to each of said prong plates, one of said prong plates being movably mounted, means for moving said movable plate transversely of said base plate, said means comprising a bar mounted for longitudinal movement with reference to said movable plate, levers pivoted with reference to said base plate, a link pivotally connecting one arm of each lever with said bar, and a link pivoted to each of the other arms of said levers and being pivotally associated with said movable prong plate. a V V 2,. In a loose leaf binder, a base plate, a pair of prong bars, means for mounting said prong bars on said plate for movement transversely of said plate and also for movement longitudinally of said plate a distance equal to the entire length thereof, means for operating said bars trans versely, means for preventing longitudinal movement of one of said bars when said binder is closed, said'latter means comprising'a stop fixed with reference to said base plate and a finger adapted to coact with said stop and with said bar.

3. In a loose leaf binder, a base plate, a pair of prong bars, means for mounting said prong bars on said plate for movement transversely of said plate and also for movement longitudinally of said plate a distance equal to'the length thereof, means for operating said bars transversely, means for preventing longitudinal movement of one of said prong bars when said binder is closed, said means comprising a. stop fixed with reference to said plate and a finger adapted to coact With said-prong bar and stop to prevent movement of said prong bar when said binder is closed, and resilient means for moving said finger with said prong bar as the bar is moved transversely.

4. In a loose leaf binder, a base plate, a pair of prong bars, means for mounting said prong bars on said plate for movement transversely of said plate and also forimovement longitudinally of said plate a distance to the entire length thereof, and means for operating said bars transversely, saidoperating means comprising a bar slidably mounted with reference to said plate, levers pivoted to said'plate, and links'pivotally connecting said operating bar and said prong bar mounting means with said levers.

ERIK L. KRAG. 

